Thousands gather for Mount Rushmore fireworks

Some celebrations canceled due to fire danger

Some celebrations canceled due to fire danger

July 05, 2007

SIOUX FALLS (AP) - High temperatures and dry weather, especially in the western part of the state, were leaving the status of some Independence Day celebrations in doubt. But the 20,000 or so visitors to Mount Rushmore National Memorial Tuesday night were able to view a 27-minute-long fireworks show that capped off a day of music and dance. “Mount Rushmore celebrated our nation's birthday with a rich diversity of music, entertainment, and patriotic tributes,” Gerard Baker, Mount Rushmore's superintendent, said in a release. With more than 5,200 shells ignited Tuesday night, conditions needed to be reasonable to avoid any fire danger, Baker said. Humidity and fuel conditions at the park have been acceptable for fireworks only twice this past week. Fire and weather experts monitored conditions throughout the day, and officials made the decision to proceed with the fireworks at 9 p.m. Tuesday. Hot Springs canceled its fireworks display scheduled for Wednesday. Les Madsen, assistant fire management officer for Hot Springs, said the extreme hot weather and high winds made the possibility of starting a fire too dangerous. “We'd rather not take the risk, than have the possibility of losing homes to a fire,” Madsen said. Joe Meligan, Fort Pierre's fire chief, said fireworks-related calls such as one that burned an acre of grassland near the Oahe Dam on Saturday are common. Meligan said his department plans to be ready with firefighters on hand. Fireworks are a concern of firefighters because they ignite a fire, but they're also a concern for law enforcement. Police in Pierre on Monday charged two men with illegally discharging fireworks. State Fire Marshal Allen Christie said new fireworks come out each year and enforcing their proper use is the only way to prevent fires and injuries. “They (fireworks) change every year and they just keep getting harder to control,” Christie said. “Things look green, but that doesn't mean things don't burn.” Christie said that city ordinances vary, but many, such as those in Rapid City, don't permit the use of fireworks within city limits. Both Rapid City and Box Elder prohibit fireworks to be set off inside city limits or within one mile of the cities. Rapid City is allowing novelty-type fireworks such as snaps or sparklers. New Underwood only allowed fireworks on the Fourth of July.